Method for fabricating semiconductor device, pattern writing apparatus, recording medium recording program, and pattern transfer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes dividing a pattern region of a desired pattern that is to be formed on a semiconductor substrate into a plurality of sub-regions; calculating combination condition including a shape of illumination light for transferring and a mask pattern obtained by correcting a partial pattern in the sub-region of the desired pattern formed on a mask used during transferring for each of the plurality of sub-regions, to make a dimension error of the partial pattern of each of the plurality of sub-regions smaller when transferred to the semiconductor substrate; and forming the desired pattern by making multiple exposures on the semiconductor substrate in such a way that the partial patterns of the sub-regions divided are sequentially transferred by transferring a pattern to the semiconductor substrate using the combination conditions calculated for each of the sub-regions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/792,192, filed Jul. 6, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/431,229 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,122,176), filedMar. 27, 2012, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priorityfrom prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-077811 filed on Mar. 31,2011 in Japan, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a method forfabricating a semiconductor device, a pattern writing apparatus, arecording medium recording a program, and a pattern transfer apparatus,and for example, relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductordevice that controls a pattern formed on a mask and illumination lightof a pattern writing apparatus that transfers the mask pattern onto asemiconductor substrate and related devices thereof.

Related Art

A lithography technique which leads development of micropatterning of asemiconductor device is a very important process for exclusivelygenerating a pattern in semiconductor fabricating processes. In recentyears, with an increase in integration density of an LSI, a circuit linewidth required for semiconductor devices is getting smaller year byyear. In order to form a desired circuit pattern on such a semiconductordevice, a high-precision original pattern (also called a reticle or amask) is needed. In this case, an electron beam pattern writingtechnique essentially has an excellent resolution, and is used inproduction of high-precision original patterns.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of avariable-shaped electron beam pattern writing apparatus. Thevariable-shaped electron beam (EB: Electron Beam) pattern writingapparatus operates as described below. In a first aperture plate 410, aquadrangular opening 411 to shape an electron beam 330 is formed. In asecond aperture plate 420, a variable-shaped opening 421 to shape theelectron beam 330 having passed through the opening 411 of the firstaperture plate 410 into a desired quadrangular shape is formed. Theelectron beam 330 irradiated from the charged particle source 430 andhaving passed through the opening 411 of the first aperture plate 410 isdeflected by a deflector and passes through a portion of thevariable-shaped opening 421 of the second aperture plate 420 toirradiate a target object 340 mounted on a stage continuously moving inone predetermined direction (for example, the X direction) with theelectron beam 330. That is, a quadrangular shape which can pass throughboth the opening 411 of the first aperture plate 410 and thevariable-shaped opening 421 of the second aperture plate 420 is formedin a pattern writing region of the target object 340 mounted on thestage continuously moving in the X direction. The scheme for causing abeam to pass through both the opening 411 of the first aperture plate410 and the variable-shaped opening 421 of the second aperture plate 420to form an arbitrary shape is called a variable-shaping scheme (VSBscheme).

With an increasing degree of integration of pattern, the line widthprecision of a pattern on a silicon wafer of up to 3 to 5 nm is nowdemanded. The method of changing illumination of a transfer apparatus(scanner) to increase the resolution of a pattern is proposed (see, forexample, “Generation of arbitrary freeform source shapes using advancedillumination system in high-NA immersion scanners”, Proc. of SPIE Vol.7640 764005-1). Also, the method of transfer by grouping patternsdesired to be transferred onto a wafer and changing the shape ofillumination light of each group by fitting to the trend of the patternis proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application laid-Open No.2008-311502). However, dimensions change due to the optical proximityeffect when a pattern of a mask is transferred onto a wafer and thus,the pattern is corrected to correct dimensional changes. Then, thecorrected pattern will be formed on the mask. Thus, even if theillumination shape is selected by fitting to the pattern to betransferred, the actual mask pattern is different, causing dimensionerrors of the pattern. Further, dense patterns and coarse patterns areinternally mixed in an LSI pattern. Thus, it is difficult to improvedimensional precision for all patterns at the same time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method forfabricating a semiconductor device, includes: dividing a pattern regionof a desired pattern that is to be formed on a semiconductor substrateinto a plurality of sub-regions; calculating combination conditionincluding a shape of illumination light for transferring and a maskpattern obtained by correcting a partial pattern in the sub-region ofthe desired pattern formed on a mask used during transferring for eachof the plurality of sub-regions, to make a dimension error of thepartial pattern of each of the plurality of sub-regions smaller whentransferred to the semiconductor substrate; and forming the desiredpattern by making multiple exposures on the semiconductor substrate insuch a way that the partial patterns of the sub-regions divided aresequentially transferred by transferring a pattern to the semiconductorsubstrate using the combination conditions calculated for each of thesub-regions.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a patternwriting apparatus, includes: a storage unit configured to input andstore pattern data of a mask pattern of each of a plurality ofsub-regions created by dividing a pattern region of a desired patternthat is to be formed on a semiconductor substrate; a merge processingunit configured to read the pattern data of the mask pattern of each ofthe sub-regions to merge the mask pattern of each of the sub-regions toa position before the pattern region being divided; a correction amountcalculation unit configured to calculate a correction amount to correcta pattern dimension error in a mesh region created by virtually dividingthe pattern region into a plurality of mesh regions in a mesh state byusing the mask pattern merged; and a pattern writing unit configured towrite the mask pattern corrected by the correction amount for each ofthe mesh regions in an independent separate position on a mask for eachof the sub-regions.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a readablerecording medium recording a program to cause a computer to execute:storing first pattern data of a desired pattern that is to be formed ona semiconductor substrate to a storage device; dividing a pattern regionof the desired pattern into a plurality of sub-regions; calculatingcombination condition including a shape of illumination light fortransferring and a mask pattern obtained by correcting a partial patternin the sub-region of the desired pattern formed on a mask used duringtransferring for each of the plurality of sub-regions, to make adimension error of the partial pattern of each of the plurality ofsub-regions smaller when transferred to the semiconductor substrate; andoutputting correlation data of the combination condition calculated andsecond pattern data of a mask pattern to be a corresponding patternshape for each of the sub-regions.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a transferapparatus, includes: a reading unit configured to optically read firstdivided region information indicating positions of a plurality ofsub-regions created by dividing a pattern region of a desired patternthat is to be formed on a semiconductor substrate and a plurality ofpieces of first illumination light information indicating a shape ofillumination light to be paired with a mask pattern for each of thesub-region from a mask; a judgment unit configured to input a pluralityof pieces of second illumination light information indicating the maskpattern of each sub-region and the shape of the illumination lightpaired for each of the sub-regions to judge whether the firstillumination light information and the second illumination lightinformation match for each of the sub-regions; and an exposure unitconfigured to make multiple exposures of the semiconductor substrate insuch a way that partial patterns of the sub-regions divided aresequentially transferred by transferring the mask pattern for thesub-region concerned to the semiconductor substrate with theillumination light in the shape indicated by the illumination lightinformation judged to match for each of the sub-regions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing principal processes of a method forfabricating a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram exemplifying a pattern to be transferredto a semiconductor substrate, a pattern formed on a mask, and arelationship among a pattern shape, illumination light shape, and pupilsurface shape in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are conceptual diagrams for explaining a flow of themethod for fabricating a semiconductor device and the configuration andoperation of a transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a patternwriting apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams for explaining pattern writingpositions of mask patterns and merge processing of divided regionsaccording to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing an example of sectional views ofprocesses of a method for fabricating a mask according to the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing another example of sectional viewsof processes of the method for fabricating a mask according to the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing another example of sectional viewsof processes of a method for processing a wafer according to the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing still another example of sectionalviews of processes of a method for processing a wafer according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the sectional view of theprocess of the method for processing the wafer according to the firstembodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of thevariable-shaped electron beam pattern writing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment below, a method for fabricating a semiconductor devicecapable of further reducing dimension errors of a pattern transferred toa semiconductor substrate in the end will be described. Also, a patternwriting (or “drawing”) apparatus that makes more precise correctionswhen size fluctuations are corrected will be described. Also, a transferapparatus capable of further reducing dimension errors of a patterntransferred to a semiconductor substrate in the end will be described.Also, a program that generates pattern data capable of further reducingdimension errors of a pattern transferred to a semiconductor substratein the end will be described.

In an embodiment below, a charged particle beam pattern writingapparatus will be described as a pattern writing apparatus, but thepattern writing apparatus is not limited to this example and may be alaser beam pattern writing apparatus. A configuration using an electronbeam will be described as an example of the charged particle beam, butthe charged particle beam is not limited to the electron beam and may bea beam using charged particles such as an ion beam. A variable-shapedpattern writing apparatus will be described as an example of the chargedparticle beam pattern writing apparatus.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing principal processes of a method forfabricating a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment. InFIG. 1, in the method for fabricating a semiconductor device accordingto the first embodiment, a series of processes including a patternwriting (or “drawing”) data generation process (S102 to S109), a patternwriting (or “drawing”) process (S110 to S112), a mask pattern formingprocess (S114 to S116), a transfer process (S117 to S122), and a waferpattern forming process (S124 to S130) are performed. In the patternwriting data generation process, a series processes including a regiondivision process (S102), a condition setting process (S104), a patterncorrection process (S106), a correlation data generation process (S107),a simulation process (S108), and a judgment (S109) are performed asinternal processes thereof. In the pattern writing process, a series ofprocesses including a pattern writing process (S110) and a maskinformation forming process (S112) are performed as internal processesthereof. In the mask pattern forming process, a series of processesincluding a development process (S114) and an etching process (S116) areperformed as internal processes thereof. In the transfer process, aseries of processes including a mask information reading process (S118),a judgment process (S119), a pattern A exposure process (S120), and apattern B exposure process (S122) are performed as internal processesthereof. In the wafer pattern forming process, a series of processesincluding a development process (S124), an etching process (S126), afilm forming process (S128), and a planarization process (S130) areperformed as internal processes thereof.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram exemplifying a pattern to be transferredto a semiconductor substrate, a pattern formed on a mask, and arelationship among a pattern shape, illumination light shape, and pupilsurface shape in the first embodiment. When a pattern on thesemiconductor substrate (wafer) is transferred, dimensions of thetransferred pattern depend on the pattern shape thereof, the shape ofillumination light in the transfer apparatus, and transmittance of aluminous flux in the pupil surface position after passing through amask. On the other hand, the pattern transferred to the wafer hasvarious shapes such as a dense pattern and a coarse pattern. Inaddition, even if a design pattern to be transferred onto a wafer isformed on the mask unchanged, the pattern is not transferred in desireddimensions due to an influence of the optical proximity effect or thelike during transfer. Thus, the pattern formed on the mask is correctedby making optical proximity effect corrections (OPC) and the correctedpattern is formed on the mask as a mask pattern. Thus, the pattern to betransferred to a wafer and the pattern formed on a mask are alsodifferent in shape. Thus, in the first embodiment, the combination ofthe mask pattern, the shape of illumination light, and the luminous fluxshape in the pupil surface position is first optimized by doing asimulation to minimize pattern dimension errors of a pattern formed onthe wafer in the end with respect to design dimensions. Then, optimizedmask pattern data and correlation data to be conditions therefor aregenerated.

The pattern writing data generation process is calculated by using acontrol computer 400. Storage devices 146, 148 such as magnetic diskdrives are connected to the control computer 400 via a bus (not shown).In addition, other components normally needed for performing computerprocessing may be mounted on or connected to the control computer 400.First, design data (first pattern data) of a desired pattern that willbe formed on a semiconductor substrate (wafer) is input into the storagedevice 146 from outside to store the design data in the storage device146. In the design data, pattern data of a pattern to be formed on awafer as a semiconductor substrate in the end is defined.

As the region division process (S102), the control computer 400 firstreads pattern data from the storage device 146 and divides a patternregion of a desired pattern that will be formed on a semiconductorsubstrate (wafer) into a plurality of sub-regions. Assume, for example,a case when a chip pattern (transfer pattern) should be transferred to aregion 11 on the wafer in the end. In such a case, according to thefirst embodiment, a pattern region 10 of the chip pattern is dividedinto a plurality of sub-regions such as a sub-region 12 and a sub-region14. The number of divided regions is not limited to two and may be threeor more. For example, it is suitable to divide a region into a region inwhich the pattern density is dense and another region (coarse region).Alternatively, it is also suitable to divide a region into a region inwhich a line and space pattern is arranged and a region in which anisolated pattern like a contact pattern is arranged.

As the condition setting process (S104), conditions including the shapeof illumination light during transfer, the pattern shape of a maskpattern, and the pupil surface shape of light in the pupil surfaceposition during transfer are set for each sub-region. For example,conditions including the shape of illumination light during transfer,the pattern shape of a mask pattern, and the pupil surface shape oflight in the pupil surface position during transfer are set.

As the pattern correction process (S106), the control computer 400corrects the mask pattern for each sub-region so that a transfer patternobtained when the mask pattern is transferred onto a wafer is broughtcloser to a partial pattern obtained by dividing the design pattern intosub-regions under the conditions of the shape of illumination lightcalculated for each sub-region and the pupil surface shape of light inthe pupil surface position during transfer. For example, the controlcomputer 400 OPC-corrects the pattern for each sub-region so that atransfer pattern obtained when transferred by a scanner is broughtcloser to a partial pattern obtained by dividing the design pattern intosub-regions under the conditions of the shape of illumination light setfor each sub-region and the pupil surface shape of light in the pupilsurface position during transfer. For this purpose, the commonly usedOPC technology, that is, the OPC technology under the conditions of thefixed shape of illumination light and the fixed pupil surface shape oflight in the pupil surface position during transfer may be used. Then,the control computer 400 generates pattern data of the OPC-correctedmask pattern for each sub-region.

As the correlation data generation process (S107), the control computer400 generates correlation data (condition data) among the shape of theacquired illumination light, the pattern shape of a mask pattern, andthe pupil surface shape. Then, the generated correlation data is outputto and stored in the storage device 148.

As the simulation process (S108), dimensions of the transfer patternformed on the wafer using the mask pattern corrected under the aboveconditions are calculated by doing a simulation. For example, dimensionsof the pattern formed on the wafer when an OPC-corrected pattern istransferred to the wafer under the set conditions are calculated bydoing a simulation for each sub-region.

As the judgment process (S109), whether a dimension error between thepartial pattern obtained by dividing the design pattern into sub-regionsand the above transfer pattern obtained by doing a simulation is smallerthan a threshold is judged. More specifically, for example, whether asimulated dimension is sufficiently precise (dimension errorΔl<threshold l₀) is judged and if the simulated dimension issufficiently precise (for example, the error is 3 nm or less), theoptimization of the sub-region is completed and the shape ofillumination light, the pupil surface shape of light in the pupilsurface position during transfer, and the OPC-corrected pattern set atthis point are decided as the optimal combination for the sub-region. Ifsufficient precision cannot be obtained, the above processing isrepeated by changing the set shape of illumination light and pupilsurface of light in the pupil surface position during transfer so thatthe error becomes still smaller. As a result of judgment, as describedabove, condition settings of the above combination, corrections of theabove mask pattern, generation of the above correlation data, and theabove simulation are repeated until the dimension error becomes smallerthan the threshold.

By generating pattern data by the control computer 400 as describedabove, pattern data in which dimension errors of a pattern transferredto a semiconductor substrate in the end can still be reduced can begenerated.

In the manner described above, combination conditions containing theshape of illumination light for transferring and a mask pattern obtainedby correcting a partial pattern in the sub-region of the desired patternformed on a mask used during transferring for each of the plurality ofsub-regions, to make a dimension error of the partial pattern of each ofthe plurality of sub-regions smaller when transferred to thesemiconductor substrate are calculated (acquired) for each sub-region.For example, combination conditions of the shape of illumination lightfor transfer that makes the pattern dimension error of a partial patternindicating the sub-region when transferred to a wafer smaller withrespect to design dimension, the pattern shape of a mask patternobtained by OPC-correcting the partial pattern defining all pattern inthe sub-region concerned of the design pattern (desired pattern) formedon the mask used during transfer, and the pupil surface shape arecalculated (acquired) for each sub-region. More specifically, as shown,for example, in FIG. 2, the sub-region 12 is optimized by OPC-correctedpatterns 20, 22, an illumination shape 30, and a pupil surface shape 40.Also, the sub-region 14 is optimized by an OPC-corrected pattern 24, anillumination shape 32, and a pupil surface shape 42.

Then, the control computer 400 outputs correlation data of acquiredoptimized combination conditions and pattern data (second pattern data)of the mask pattern to be the pattern shape of the optimized combinationconditions to a pattern writing apparatus 100 for each sub-region.

In the above example, three conditions of the shape of illuminationlight, the pattern shape of a mask pattern, and the pupil surface shapeare shown, but the conditions are not limited to the above example.Though precision may become lower than putting the three conditionstogether, an effect is achieved by configuring two conditions of theshape of illumination light and the pattern shape of a mask pattern.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are conceptual diagrams for explaining a flow of themethod for fabricating a semiconductor device and the configuration andoperation of a transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment.FIG. 3A shows Comparative Example of the first embodiment. In FIG. 3A,an illumination shape adjustment substrate 308 is irradiated with lightemitted from a light source 303 by an illumination optical system (notshown) in a transfer apparatus 300. A pattern on a mask 101 isirradiated with the light having passed through the illumination shapeadjustment substrate 308 as illumination light. The light having passedthrough the mask passes through an optical system 305 to irradiate apupil surface optical distribution adjustment substrate 306 arranged inthe pupil surface position between the optical system 305 and an opticalsystem 307. Then, the light having passed through the pupil surfaceoptical shape adjustment substrate 306 forms an image in a desiredposition of a wafer 301 by the optical system 307. However, in FIG. 3A,even if the illumination shape should be selected by fitting to thepattern to be transferred, the actual mask pattern and the pattern to betransferred are different due to OPC corrections or the like, causingdimension errors of the pattern.

Thus, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pattern region10 is divided into the sub-regions 12, 14 for separate exposure. In thetransfer apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment, a reading unit312 optically reads first divided region information indicatingpositions of a plurality of sub-regions created by dividing a patternregion of a desired pattern that will be formed on the wafer 301 and aplurality of pieces of first illumination light information indicatingthe mask pattern of each sub-region and the paired shape of illuminationlight from the mask. Then, a judgment unit 313 inputs a plurality ofpieces of second illumination light information indicating the maskpattern of each sub-region and the paired shape of illumination lightfor each sub-region and judges whether the first illumination lightinformation and the second illumination light information match. Then, atransfer unit 302 (exposure unit) makes multiple exposures of thesemiconductor substrate so that the partial patterns of all dividedsub-regions are sequentially transferred by transferring the maskpattern for the sub-region to the semiconductor substrate withillumination light in the shape indicated by illumination lightinformation judged to match for each sub-region.

In the transfer apparatus 300, as shown in FIG. 3C, the illuminationshape adjustment substrate 308 is irradiated with light emitted from thelight source 303 by the illumination optical system (not shown). Theadjustment substrate is adjusted so that transmitted light has adistribution 50. A pattern 12 on the mask 101 is irradiated with thelight having passed through the illumination shape adjustment substrate308 as illumination light. The light having passed through the maskpasses through the optical system 305 to irradiate the pupil surfaceoptical distribution adjustment substrate 306 arranged in the pupilsurface position between the optical systems 305, 307. Then, theadjustment substrate is adjusted so that the transmitted light has adistribution 61. Then, the light having passed through the pupil surfaceoptical shape adjustment substrate 306 forms an image in a desiredposition of the wafer 301 by the optical system 307. This operation isrepeated while the wafer being moved to transfer the pattern of thesub-region 12 to a plurality of locations on the wafer. Next, as shownin FIG. 3D, the transmitted light is adjusted to have a distribution 52by adjusting the illumination shape adjustment substrate 308, thetransmitted light is adjusted to have a distribution 62 by adjusting thepupil surface optical distribution adjustment substrate 306, and themask is moved to transfer the pattern of the sub-region 14 on the mask101 to the wafer. This operation is repeated while the wafer being movedto transfer the pattern of the sub-region 14 to a plurality of locationson the wafer. The description below starts with pattern writingprocessing of a mask pattern.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B, the mask pattern in each of the sub-region12 and the sub-region 14 is formed on the mask 101 by the patternwriting apparatus 100 so that the sub-region 12 and the sub-region 14are located in independent separate positions.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a patternwriting apparatus according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, thepattern writing apparatus 100 includes a pattern writing unit 150 and acontrol unit 160. The pattern writing apparatus 100 is an example of thecharged particle beam pattern writing apparatus. Particularly, thepattern writing apparatus 100 is an example of the variable-shapedpattern writing apparatus. The pattern writing (or “drawing”) unit 150includes an electron lens barrel 102 and a pattern writing (or“drawing”) chamber 103. In the electron lens barrel 102, an electron gunassembly 201, an illumination lens 202, a first aperture plate 203, aprojection lens 204, a deflector 205, a second aperture plate 206, anobjective lens 207, a main deflector 208, and a sub-deflector 209 arearranged. In the pattern writing chamber 103, an X-Y stage 105 isarranged. On the XY stage 105, the substrate 101 for mask production onwhich a pattern is written (or “drawn”) during pattern formation isarranged. The substrate 101 becomes a mask for exposure when asemiconductor device is produced by undergoing the subsequent processes.The substrate 101 includes mask blanks having a light-shielding filmformed on a glass substrate and a resist applied to the light-shieldingfilm and on which no pattern is formed.

The control unit 160 includes a control computer 110, a memory 112, acontrol circuit 120, and storage devices 140, 142 such as magnetic diskdrives. The control computer 110, the memory 112, the control circuit120, and the storage devices 140, 142 are mutually connected by a bus(not shown). In the control computer 110, a shot data generation unit70, a merge processing unit 71, a loading effect correction amountcalculation unit 72, a dose calculation unit 74, a mask informationwriting data generation unit 76, and a pattern writing processing unit78. Functions such as the shot data generation unit 70, the mergeprocessing unit 71, the loading effect correction amount calculationunit 72, the dose calculation unit 74, the mask information writing datageneration unit 76, and the pattern writing processing unit 78 may beconfigured by hardware such as an electric circuit or software such asprograms to execute such functions. Alternatively, such functions may beconfigured by combining hardware and software. Information input into oroutput from the shot data generation unit 70, the merge processing unit71, the loading effect correction amount calculation unit 72, the dosecalculation unit 74, the mask information writing data generation unit76, and the pattern writing processing unit 78 and information in theprocess of calculation are each time stored in the memory 112.

First, pattern data (pattern writing data) of the mask pattern of eachsub-region of a plurality of sub-regions created by dividing a patternregion of a desired pattern that will be formed on a semiconductorsubstrate (wafer) is input from outside and stored in the storage device140. More specifically, pattern data (pattern writing data) of thepattern (mask pattern) of each sub-region after OPC corrections is inputfrom outside and stored in the storage device 140. The pattern region ofthe pattern is divided and multiple exposure information in whichdivided region information indicating the position of each sub-regionand information indicating the region division are defined is input fromoutside and stored in the storage device 140. Correlation data(condition data) of each sub-region acquired from the above simulationis input from outside and stored in the storage device 140. In thecorrelation data, illumination light information indicating a shape ofillumination light paired with the mask pattern for each of thesub-regions and pupil surface information indicating the luminous fluxshape in the pupil surface position are defined.

In the pattern writing apparatus 100, the shot data generation unit 70first reads pattern data of each sub-region from the storage device 140and generates apparatus specific shot data by performing multi-stagedata conversion processing. To form a graphic pattern by the patternwriting apparatus 100, it is necessary to divide each graphic patterndefined in the pattern data into the size that can be irradiated withone beam shot. Thus, the shot data generation unit 70 generates shotgraphics by dividing the graphic pattern indicated by the pattern datainto the size that can be irradiated with one beam shot. Then, shot datais generated for each shot graphic. In the shot data, for example,graphic data such as the graphic type, graphic size, irradiationposition, and dose is defined. The generated shot data of the maskpattern is temporarily stored in the storage device 142.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams for explaining pattern writingpositions of mask patterns and merge processing of divided regionsaccording to the first embodiment. When fabricating a semiconductordevice, in addition to size fluctuations due to the optical proximityeffect during transfer described above, a phenomenon called the loadingeffects causing size fluctuations resulting from development, etching,or planarization using a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) device,which are processes after pattern formation, is known. Thus, it isdesirable to correct size fluctuations resulting from the loadingeffects by adjusting the dose in the pattern writing apparatus 100.Thus, in the first embodiment, such size fluctuations are corrected inthe pattern writing apparatus. Incidentally, loading effects are subjectto arranging conditions of patterns located therearound. However, asdescribed above, one pattern region is divided into a plurality of thesub-regions 12, 14 in the first embodiment. Then, when patterns areformed, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pattern of the sub-region 12 and thepattern of the sub-region 14 are formed in independent separate regionsof the substrate 101 for mask production. Thus, a pattern near thedivision position has no pattern therearound. This makes it difficult toinclude an influence of surrounding patterns. Thus, in the firstembodiment, when the correction amount of the loading effects iscalculated, as shown in FIG. 5B, the divided sub-regions 12, 14 arerestored to the original state and the correction amount is calculatedas the sub-region 10.

Thus, as the merge processing process, the merge processing unit 71reads mask pattern data of each sub-region and merges the mask patternof each sub-region to the position before the division. Accordingly, thesub-regions 12, 14 are merged into the pattern region 10.

As the size fluctuation correction amount calculation process, theloading effect correction amount calculation unit 72 calculates acorrection amount Δl that corrects pattern dimension errors in a meshregion created by virtually dividing a pattern region into a pluralityof mesh regions by using a mask pattern after merging. The correctionamount Δl(x, y) can be defined by, for example, the following formula(1) using an area density ρ_(L)(x, y) of the mesh area for loadingeffect corrections, a distribution function g_(L)(x, y), and a loadingeffect correction coefficient γ. The loading effect correction amountcalculation unit 72 is an example of a correction amount calculationunit. The size of the mesh region for loading effect corrections issuitably about 1/10 of the radius of influence of the loading effects.For example, the size is suitably set to about 1 mm.

Δl(x,y)=γ·∫ρ_(L)(x−x′,y−y′)·g _(L)(x−x′,y−y′)dx′dy′  (1)

By calculating the loading effect correction amount after patterns ofsub-regions being merged as described above, the influence of patternsin a region divided portion can be taken into consideration. Thus, theprecision of correction amount can be improved.

Next, as the dose calculation process, the dose calculation unit 74calculates the dose for each piece of shot data. In addition to theoptical proximity effect during transfer, size fluctuations due to theproximity effect caused by an electron beam when a pattern is formed ona mask can also arise. Thus, it is desirable to also make corrections ofthe proximity effect by the electron beam at the same time. Thus, in thefirst embodiment, such size fluctuations are corrected by adjusting thedose in the pattern writing apparatus. The proximity effect by anelectron beam can be corrected by adjusting base doses of the beam D₀and proximity effect correction coefficients η. In addition, an optimalcombination of the base doses of the beam D₀ and the proximity effectcorrection coefficients η exists. Thus, a dose D(x, y) is calculated byusing the base doses of the beam D₀ (ΔL(x, y)) and the proximity effectcorrection coefficients η(Δl(x, y)) that correct the loading effectcorrection amount Δl(x, y) described above simultaneously whileproximity effect corrections are maintained. The relationship betweenthe base doses of the beam D₀ and the proximity effect correctioncoefficients η in each dimension when the pattern dimension is variedwhile proximity effect corrections are maintained may be determined inadvance by an experiment or the like. The dose D(x, y) can be defined bythe following formula (2) using the base doses of the beam D₀ (Δl(x, y))and a proximity effect-corrected dose d(η(Δl(x, y), x, y):

D(x,y)=D ₀(Δl(x,y))·d(η(Δl(x,y),x,y)  (2)

where the proximity effect-corrected dose d(η(Δl(x, y), x, y) can bedefined by, for example, the following formula (3):

d(η(Δl(x,y),x,y)={(½)+η(Δl(x,y))/{(½)+η(Δl(x,y))·U(x,y)}  (3)

where the function U(x, y) can be defined by the following formula (4)using an area density ρ_(p)(x, y) of the mesh region for proximityeffect corrections and a distribution function g_(p)(x, y):

U(x,y)=∫ρ_(p)(x−x′,y−y′)·g _(p)(x−x′,y−y′)dx′dy′  (4)

The size of the mesh region for proximity effect corrections is suitablyabout 1/10 of the radius of influence of proximity effect corrections.For example, the size is suitably set to about 1 μm.

The dose D(x, y) is calculated as described above for each mesh regionto create a dose map.

When a pattern is transferred to a wafer by using a fabricated mask,multiple exposures are needed because the pattern is divided into aplurality of sub-regions and the illumination shape and the pupilsurface shape need to follow the above optimized conditions for eachsub-region. However, conditions are different from sub-region tosub-region and settings may be made erroneously. Thus, in the firstembodiment, a pattern is formed on the mask under the conditions thatmultiple exposures are needed because the pattern is divided into aplurality of sub-regions and the illumination shape and the pupilsurface shape are specified for each sub-region as mask information.

As the mask information writing data generation process, the maskinformation writing data generation unit 76 has condition data andmultiple exposure information for each sub-region input thereto togenerate pattern writing data of a code graphic pattern indicatingdivided region information and information indicating the regiondivision indicated by the multiple exposure information and illuminationlight information and pupil surface information indicated by thecondition data. As the code graphic, the bar code, QR code (registeredtrademark) and the like are suitably used. At this point, the patternwriting position of the code graphic pattern is set to a position on themask where code graphic pattern does not overlap with the mask patternof each sub-region. The mask information writing data generation unit 76may generate up to shot data of the code graphic pattern or the shotdata generation unit 70 may generate shot data from pattern writing dataof the generated code graphic pattern. The shot data (mask informationdata) of the generated code graphic pattern is temporarily stored in thestorage device 142.

Then, as pattern writing process (S110), the pattern writing processingunit 78 controls the control circuit 120 so that the mask pattern foreach sub-region is formed on the substrate 101 for mask production.Then, the pattern writing unit 150 controlled by the control circuit 120forms the mask pattern of each sub-region corrected with the correctionamount for each mesh region in an independent separate position on thesubstrate 101 for mask production for each sub-region. In other words,the mask pattern of a sub-region is formed in a separate positionindependent of mask patterns of other sub-regions for each sub-region onthe substrate 101 to which a resist is applied. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 2, the mask pattern in each sub-region is formed so thatthe sub-region 12 and the sub-region 14 are independent separatepositions. A more specific operation is as follows:

An electron beam 200 emitted from the electron gun assembly 201(emitting unit) illuminates the whole first aperture plate 203 having aquadrangular hole through the illumination lens 202. The electron beam200 is first shaped into a quadrangular shape. Then, the electron beam200 having passed through the first aperture plate 203 and having afirst aperture plate image is projected onto the second aperture plate206 through the projection lens 204. Deflection control of the firstaperture plate image on the second aperture plate 206 is exercised bythe deflector 205 so that the shape and dimensions of the beam can bechanged (variably shaped). Then, the electron beam 200 having passedthrough the second aperture plate 206 and having a second aperture plateimage is focused by the objective lens 207 and deflected by the maindeflector 208 and the sub-deflector 209 before being irradiated on adesired position of the target object 101 arranged on the XY stage 105moving continuously. FIG. 1 shows a case when multi-deflection of twostages for the main deflector and the sub-deflector is used for positiondeflection. In such a case, the main deflector 208 may deflect theelectron beam 200 of a relevant shot to the reference position of asub-field (SF) created by virtually dividing a pattern writing regionwhile following the stage movement and the sub-deflector 209 may deflectthe beam of the shot to each irradiation position in the SF.

Then, as the mask information forming process (S112), the patternwriting processing unit 78 further controls the control circuit 120 sothat the code graphic pattern is formed on the mask 101. Then, thepattern writing unit 150 controlled by the control circuit 120 forms thecode graphic pattern in a position on the mask that does not overlapwith the mask pattern of each sub-region. The operation of the patternwriting unit 150 is the same as the above operation.

By forming the code graphic pattern on the mask itself, as describedabove, conditions errors for transfer can be limited.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing an example of sectional views ofprocesses of a method for fabricating a mask according to the firstembodiment. FIGS. 6A to 6C show from the state of the mask 101 before apattern is formed to the development process (S114). As shown in FIG.6A, the substrate 101 for mask production before a pattern is formed hasa light-shielding film 510 formed on a glass substrate 500 and a resistfilm 512 formed on the light-shielding film 510. Then, in the patternforming process described above, as shown in FIG. 6B, a pattern isformed on the resist film 512 by using the electron beam 200.

Next, in FIG. 6C, as the development process (S114), the resist on thesubstrate 101 on which a pattern is formed is developed to form a resistpattern. More specifically, the substrate 101 after the patternformation is developed to form a resist pattern by the resist film 512in which an opening 511 is formed.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing another example of sectional viewsof processes of the method for fabricating a mask according to the firstembodiment. FIGS. 7A and 7B show from the etching process (S116) to thecompleted mask.

Then, in FIG. 7A, as the etching process (S116), a mask pattern isformed on the substrate 101 by performing etching using the resistpattern. More specifically, the resist pattern by the resist film 512 isused as a mask to remove the light-shielding film 510 exposed to theopening 511 by etching. Then, the remaining resist film 512 is removedby asking to form, as shown in FIG. 7B, a mask pattern.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing another example of sectional viewsof processes of a method for processing a wafer according to the firstembodiment. FIGS. 8A to 8C show from the state of a wafer before apattern is transferred to the development process (S124). As shown inFIG. 8A, the wafer before a pattern is transferred has an insulatingfilm 610 formed on a silicon substrate 600 and a resist film 612 formedon the insulating film 610. The silicon substrate 600 may also have abase pattern 601 such as a lower-layer wire formed therein.

In FIG. 8B, in the transfer process, the transfer apparatus 300transfers the mask pattern of each sub-region under the above conditionsfor each sub-region by irradiating light 613 of a mask pattern imageusing a mask fabricated as described above as an exposure mask. As shownin FIGS. 3B to 3D, the transfer apparatus 300 includes a transfer unit302 and a control unit 304. The transfer unit 302 includes a lightsource 303, the illumination shape adjustment substrate 308, the opticalsystems 305, 307, and the pupil surface optical shape adjustmentsubstrate 306. The control unit 304 includes a control computer 310 anda control circuit 320. In the control computer 310, the reading unit312, the judgment unit 313, a condition setting unit 314, and a transfercontrol unit 316 are arranged. Functions such as the reading unit 312,the judgment unit 313, the condition setting unit 314, and the transfercontrol unit 316 may be configured by hardware such as an electriccircuit or software such as programs to execute such functions.Alternatively, such functions may be configured by combining hardwareand software. Information input into or output from the reading unit312, the condition setting unit 314, and the transfer control unit 316and information in the process of calculation are each time stored in amemory (not shown).

The mask 101 is set to the light source 303 for transfer. Then, theillumination shape adjustment substrate 308 is irradiated with lightemitted from the light source 303 by an illumination optical system (notshown). Then, the irradiated light changes the shape thereof by passingthrough the illumination shape adjustment substrate 308. Theillumination shape adjustment substrate 308 has, for example, thesurface divided in a mesh shape and each mesh region is configured to beable to open and close independently. In other words, light can passthrough only open mesh regions 50 and closed mesh regions 52 blockillumination light. Thus, the shape of passing light can be controlledby controlling mesh regions to be opened. As the illumination shapeadjustment substrate 308, for example, a digital mirror array can beused. A pattern on the mask 101 is irradiated with the light havingpassed through the illumination shape adjustment substrate 308 asillumination light. The light having passed through the mask is enlargedby the optical system 305 to irradiate the pupil surface optical shapeadjustment substrate 306 arranged in the pupil surface position betweenthe optical systems 305, 307. Then, the irradiated light changes theshape thereof by passing through the pupil surface optical shapeadjustment substrate 306. The pupil surface optical shape adjustmentsubstrate 306 has, for example, the surface divided in a mesh shape andeach mesh region is configured to be able to open and closeindependently. In other words, light can pass through only open meshregions 60 and closed mesh regions 61 block light. Thus, the shape oflight passing through the pupil surface can be controlled by controllingmesh regions to be opened.

As the mask information reading process (S118), the reading unit 312optically reads first divided region information indicating positions ofa plurality of sub-regions created by dividing a pattern region of adesired pattern that will be formed on a wafer, a plurality of pieces offirst illumination light information indicating the mask pattern of eachsub-region and the paired shape of illumination light, and a pluralityof pieces of first pupil surface information indicating the shape oflight on the pupil surface from the mask. It is needless to say that thefirst pupil surface information is omitted if pupil surface informationis excluded from the conditions. More specifically, the reading unit 312uses a reading apparatus (not shown) to optically read a code graphicpattern formed on the mask 101. Then, the reading unit 312 reads dividedregion information and information indicating the region divisionindicated by the multiple exposure information defined in the codegraphic pattern and illumination light information and pupil surfaceinformation indicated by the condition data from the read code graphicpattern.

As the mask setup process, the fabricated mask 101 is set up.

As the judgment process (S119), the judgment unit 313 has a plurality ofpieces of second illumination light information indicating the maskpattern of each sub-region and the paired shape of illumination lightinput from a user for each sub-region. Then, whether illumination lightinformation defined in the code graphic pattern and illumination lightinformation input by the user match is judged for each sub-region.Similarly, whether pupil surface information defined in the code graphicpattern and pupil surface information input by the user match is judgedfor each sub-region. If both pieces of information do not match, anerror is output and the transfer process is stopped. To restart thetransfer process, another mask is used or condition information such asthe illumination light information and pupil surface information inputby the user is changed and the transfer process is restarted from themask information reading process (S118).

As the condition setting process, the condition setting unit 314 setsthe shape of illumination light and the pupil surface shape asconditions for a sub-region A to be transferred of a plurality ofsub-regions.

As the pattern A exposure process (S120), the transfer control unit 316controls the control circuit 320 so that the mask pattern formed in thesub-region A (for example, the sub-region 12) to be transferred of theplurality of sub-regions is transferred to the wafer 301 under setconditions. The transfer unit 302 controlled by the control circuit 320first opens/closes mesh regions of the illumination shape adjustmentsubstrate 308 so that the set shape of illumination light is formed.Similarly, the transfer unit 302 opens/closes mesh regions of the pupilsurface optical shape adjustment substrate 306 so that the set pupilsurface shape is formed. Then, the transfer unit 302 transfers thecombination of mask pattern acquired under the condition of the acquiredcombination of the shape of illumination light and the pupil surfaceshape for the sub-region 12 is transferred to the wafer 301. At thispoint, a portion of the mask may be shielded so that one of theplurality of sub-regions, for example, the sub-region 14 is notirradiated with illumination light.

Next, as the pattern B exposure process (S122), the transfer controlunit 316 controls the control circuit 320 so that the mask patternformed in another sub-region B (for example, the sub-region 14) to whichthe pattern is not transferred of the plurality of sub-regions istransferred to the wafer 301 under set conditions. The transfer unit 302controlled by the control circuit 320 first opens/closes mesh regions ofthe illumination shape adjustment substrate 308 so that the set shape ofillumination light is formed. Similarly, the transfer unit 302opens/closes mesh regions of the pupil surface optical shape adjustmentsubstrate 306 so that the set pupil surface shape is formed. Then, thetransfer unit 302 transfers the combination of mask pattern acquiredunder the condition of the acquired combination of the shape ofillumination light and the pupil surface shape for the sub-region 14 istransferred to the wafer 301. At this point, a portion of the mask maybe shielded so that the other of the plurality of sub-regions, forexample, the sub-region 12 is not irradiated with illumination light.

The transfer unit 302 makes multiple exposures of the wafer, asdescribed above, so that partial patterns of divided sub-regions aresequentially transferred by transferring patterns to the wafer usingcombination conditions calculated for each sub-region. Morespecifically, the transfer unit 302 makes multiple exposures of thewafer 301 so that partial patterns of all the divided sub-regions 12, 14are sequentially transferred by transferring the mask pattern of thesub-region to the wafer with illumination light in the shape and thepupil surface shape indicated by illumination light information judgedto match for each sub-region. The transfer unit 302 is an example of anexposure unit.

Then, in subsequent processes, a desired pattern is formed on themultiple-exposure semiconductor substrate.

In FIG. 8C, as the development process (S124), the wafer after multipleexposures is developed to form a resist pattern by the resist film 612in which an opening 611 is formed.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing still another example of sectionalviews of processes of a method for processing a wafer according to thefirst embodiment. FIGS. 9A to 9C show from the etching process (S126) tothe film forming process (S128).

Then, in FIG. 9A, as the etching process (S126), the resist pattern bythe resist film 612 is used as a mask to remove the insulating film 610exposed to the opening 611 by etching. Then, the remaining resist film612 is removed by asking to form, as shown in FIG. 9B, the opening 611to be a wiring groove in the insulating film.

Then, in FIG. 9C, as the film forming process (S128), a conductive film614 is deposited on the insulating film 610 as if to fill up the opening611. As the conductive film 614, for example, a copper (Cu) film may beused.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the sectional view ofthe process of the method for processing the wafer according to thefirst embodiment. In FIG. 10, the planarization process (S130) is shown.

In FIG. 10, as the planarization process (S130), the excessiveconductive film 614 bulging out from the opening 611 of the insulatingfilm 610 is polished and removed by the CMP method and also the surfacethereof is planarized. Accordingly, one layer of the wiring layer by theconductive film 614 can be formed. Each of the above processes may berepeated to form a multilayer interconnection.

According to the first embodiment, as described above, dimension errorsof a pattern to be transferred to a semiconductor substrate in the endcan be reduced. Also according to the first embodiment, sizefluctuations can be corrected with higher precision. Also according tothe first embodiment, pattern data capable of further reducing dimensionerrors of a pattern transferred to a semiconductor substrate in the endcan be generated.

In the foregoing, an embodiment has been described with reference toconcrete examples. However, the present invention is not limited to suchconcrete examples.

Parts of the apparatus configuration, the control method, and the likewhich are not needed to be explained directly for the explanation of thepresent invention are not described. However, a necessary apparatusconfiguration and a necessary control method can be appropriatelyselected and used. For example, a control unit configuration whichcontrols the pattern writing apparatus 100 is not described. However, anecessary control unit configuration is appropriately selected and used,as a matter of course.

In addition, all charged particle beam pattern writing apparatuses andpattern writing methods which include the elements of the presentinvention and can be attained by appropriately changing in design by aperson skilled in the art are included in the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. (canceled) 2: A readable recording medium recording a program tocause a computer to execute: storing first pattern data of a desiredpattern that is to be formed on a semiconductor substrate to a storagedevice; dividing a pattern region of the desired pattern into aplurality of sub-regions; calculating combination condition including ashape of illumination light for transferring and a mask pattern obtainedby correcting a partial pattern in the sub-region of the desired patternformed on a mask used during transferring for each of the plurality ofsub-regions, to make a dimension error of the partial pattern of each ofthe plurality of sub-regions smaller when transferred to thesemiconductor substrate; and outputting correlation data of thecombination condition calculated and second pattern data of a maskpattern to be a corresponding pattern shape for each of the sub-regions.3: The recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the combinationcondition includes a pupil surface shape of light in a pupil surfaceposition during transfer, further comprising: correcting the maskpattern so as to bring a transfer pattern obtained when the mask patternis transferred to the semiconductor substrate closer to the partialpattern under conditions of the shape of the illumination lightcalculated for each of the sub-regions and the pupil surface shape ofthe light in the pupil surface position during transfer for each of thesub-regions; generating correlation data of the shape of theillumination light during transfer, the shape of the corrected maskpattern, and the pupil surface shape; calculating dimensions of thetransfer pattern formed on the semiconductor substrate using the maskpattern corrected under the condition by doing a simulation for each ofthe sub-regions; and judging whether a dimension error between thepartial pattern and the transfer pattern obtained by doing thesimulation is smaller than a threshold, wherein setting of thecombination conditions, correcting of the mask pattern, generating ofthe correlation data, and the simulation are repeated until, as a resultof judgement, the dimension error becomes smaller than the threshold.